Apparatus and system for concrete grooving

ABSTRACT

A concrete grooving apparatus comprising a skid and an alignment apparatus coupled with a top surface of said skid and a grooving element coupled with a bottom surface of said skid, wherein said alignment apparatus is adapted and configured to identify a desired path of said skid across an uncured concrete surface and wherein said grooving element is adapted and configured to introduce a groove into said uncured concrete surface corresponding to said desired path.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/901,692, filed Sep. 1, 2022 by Rosario Curiel which claimsthe benefit of priority to prior-filed and co-pending U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 63/239,806, filed Sep. 1, 2021, the completecontents of each of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present device relates to the field of concrete placement andfinishing and more specifically to the field of concrete grooving.

BACKGROUND

The placement and finishing of concrete require significant manual laborand one aspect that is particularly laborious is the placement ofconstruction and/or control joints in concrete. Current techniquesrequire laborious hand grooving for which there are limited, if any,tools customized for the job. What is needed is an apparatus and systemfor concrete grooving.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further details of the present device are explained with the help of theattached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of a grooving apparatus.

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of the grooving apparatus of FIG. 1

FIG. 3 depicts a side, elevation view of the grooving apparatus of FIGS.1 and 2 .

FIG. 4 depicts an elevation view of a weight used in conjunction withthe apparatus depicted in FIGS. 1-3 .

FIG. 5 depicts a system employing the apparatus depicted in FIGS. 1-4 .

FIGS. 6 a-6 c depict specific exemplary embodiments of the apparatusdepicted in FIGS. 1-4 .

FIGS. 7 a-7 b depict alternate embodiments of the apparatus depicted inFIGS. 1-4 and 6 a-6 c.

FIG. 8 depicts an alternate embodiment of the apparatus depicted inFIGS. 1-4, 6 a-6 c and 7 a-7 b.

FIG. 9 depicts an elevation view of an embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 10 depicts a partial underside view of the apparatus.

FIGS. 11 a-11 b depict a hand-held embodiment of the apparatus.

FIGS. 12 a-12 b depict and upright embodiment of the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,“a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural references unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein andthroughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and“on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

FIG. 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of a grooving apparatus 100. Inthe embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 , the grooving apparatus comprises askid 102, a grooving element 104 and a notch 106 in the upper surface ofthe skid 102. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 , the skid 102 cancomprise sloped portions 108 such that the skid 102 is thicker towardthe longitudinal center of the apparatus 100 and tapers toward the outeredges of the apparatus 100. In some embodiments the skid 102 can be madeof aluminum. However, in alternate embodiments the skid 102 can be makeof any know, convenient and/or desired material.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 , the grooving element 104 canselectively engage the lower surface of the skid 102 and in someembodiments can be user selectable, user interchangeable and/or userreplaceable. However, in some embodiments, the grooving element 104 maybe integral with the skid 102 and may not be user interchangeable and/oruser selectable/replaceable. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 , thegrooving element 104 can have a triangular cross-section with a point ofthe triangle extending from the lower surface of the skid 102. However,in some embodiments, the grooving element 104 can have any known,convenient and/or desired shape and/or geometry that extends from thelower surface of the skid 102. In some embodiments the grooving element104 can be comprised of aluminum. However, in alternate embodiments thegrooving element 104 can be comprised of any known, convenient and/ordesired material.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 , the apparatus 100 can comprise anotch 106 in the top surface of the skid 102. The notch 106 can beadapted and configured to selectively receive and/or engage variouscomponents such as a weight, depicted and described in FIG. 4 . In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 1 , the notch 106 can have a rectangulargeometry. However, in alternate embodiments the notch 106 can have anyknown, convenient and/or desired geometry.

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of the grooving apparatus of FIG. 1 . In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 2 , the apparatus 100 comprises an alignmentapparatus 202 and an anchor component 204. Additionally, in someembodiments, the skid 102 can have a tapered geometry 206 at one or bothends of the skid 102. However, in alternate embodiments, the ends of theskid 102 can any known, convenient and/or desired geometry.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 , the alignment apparatus 202 canbe an emitter/projector/receptor device adapted and configured toproject a line representing a path along which the skid 102 can travel.In some embodiments, the alignment apparatus 202 can be adapted andconfigured to receive an optical (or other) signal such that the skid102 can travel along a linear path.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 , the anchor component 204 can beadapted and configured to selectively engage an anchor tool such thatuser can direct and control the apparatus 100. Additionally, the anchorcomponent 204 can be adapted and configured to inhibit movement of oneor more weights (FIG. 4 ) relative to the body of the skid 102.

FIG. 3 depicts a side, elevation view of the grooving apparatus of FIGS.1 and 2 . In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3 , the ends of the skid102 can be adapted and configured as upturned arcs 302. However, inalternate embodiments, the ends of the skid 102 can have any known,convenient and/or desired geometric configuration.

FIG. 4 depicts an elevation view of a weight 400 used in conjunctionwith the apparatus depicted in FIGS. 1-3 . In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 4 , the weight 400 can have a substantially T-shaped geometrycomprised of a top portion 402 and a complimentary portion 404, adaptedand configured to selectively engage with the notch 106 on the top ofthe skid 102. In alternate embodiments, the top portion 402 can have anyknown, convenient and/or desired shape and/or geometry. In operation, auser can selectively couple one or more weights 400 with the notch 106such that a desired weight and/or pressure is applied to the skid 102such that the grooving element 104 can penetrate the concrete surface tocreate a construction and/or control joint in the concrete. The weight400 can be comprised of any known, convenient and/or desired material,such as lead.

FIG. 5 depicts a system 500 employing the apparatus 100 depicted inFIGS. 1-4 . In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5 , the system 500 cancomprise the apparatus 100 described above, one or more drive components502, an attachment component 504 and an emitter/detector component 506.In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5 , the skid can be placed on anuncured concrete surface 508 with the grooving element 104 in contactwith/penetrating the concrete surface to create a groove in the concretesurface 508 when the apparatus 100 is moved across the concrete surface508. In some embodiments the apparatus 100 can be moved manually.However, in alternate embodiments, the apparatus 100 can be mechanicallydriven across the concrete surface 508.

In some embodiments of the system 500 depicted in FIG. 5 , one or moredrive components 502 can move the skid 102 across the concrete surface508 via one or more attachment components 504. In some embodiments, asingle drive component 502 can be employed. However, in alternateembodiments, one or more attachment components can couple the drivecomponents 502 to the apparatus 100 via the anchor component 204. Insome embodiments the drive component(s) 502 can be controlled by a userand/or can be automatically controlled based on path 510 defined eitherby the alignment apparatus 202 and/or based on the position of theemitter/detector component 506.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5 , in operation, theemitter/detector component 506 can be positioned and the apparatus 100can be positioned on the concrete surface. The apparatus can then bedriven across the concrete surface 508 (creating a groove in theconcrete) by the one or more drive components 502 whereby the apparatus100 is directed along the path 510 toward the emitter/detector component506—the drive components 502 can be in communication with the alignmentapparatus and/or the emitter/detector component 506 such that the drivecomponent(s) 502 can direct the apparatus 100 along the path 510.

FIGS. 6 a-6 c depict specific exemplary embodiments of the apparatusdepicted in FIGS. 1-4 . In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 6 a-6 c ,dimensions provided are provided exemplary only and represent only oneembodiment of the apparatus 100 presented in FIGS. 1-4 above.

FIGS. 7 a-7 b depict alternate embodiments of the apparatus depicted inFIGS. 1-4 and 6 a-6 c. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7 a , theapparatus 100 is depicted with the weight 400 associated with the notch106 wherein a portion of the weight 400 is at least partially restrainedfrom movement with the notch 106. In some embodiments the apparatus 100can be weighed down with multiple weights 400 and/or the weight 400 canhave different masses.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7 b , the apparatus 100 is depictedwith the alignment apparatus 202 associated with the notch 106. In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 7 b , the alignment apparatus 202 comprisesa protruded component adapted and configured to selectively engage thenotch 106 in the apparatus 100. Further, the alignment apparatus 202 cancomprise a removeable light emitting device 704 such as a laser and/orany other known, convenient and/or desired device adapted and configuredto emit columnated light. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7 b , thelight emitting device 704 can be selectively retained and engagedwithin/by a chamber in the alignment apparatus 202. In some embodiments,as depicted in FIG. 7 b , the alignment apparatus 202 can comprise ascrew-type fastener 706 and that can frictionally engage the lightemitting device 704 and be retained by a complimentary threaded channel708 located in the alignment apparatus 202. In some embodiments thescrew-type fastener can be adapted and configured to actuate a switch onthe light emitting device 704 and switch the light emitting device froma first state to a second state. While described and depicted herein asa screw-type fastener 708, in alternate embodiments, the attachmentmechanism for the light emitting device 704 can be any known, convenientand/or desired mechanism and can or cannot be designed to actuate aswitch on the light emitting device 704.

FIG. 8 depicts an alternate embodiment of the apparatus 100 depicted inFIGS. 1-4, 6 a-6 b and 7 a-7 b. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8 ,the apparatus 100 can comprise rounded transitions. In the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 8 , the grooving element 104 can have a distal end thatdoes not terminate in a point, but rather has a blunt and/or rounded end800 and the sides of the grooving element 104 can be angled slightlytoward the distal sides of the skid 102 at an angle between 1 degree and15 degrees and can have a grooving element 104 can have a distal endwidth of 0.125 inches. However, in alternate embodiments, the groovingelement 104 can have any known convenient and/or desired angles andwidths.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8 , the transition 804 between thegrooving element 104 and the skid 102 can be smooth and radiused. Insome embodiments the radius can be 0.375 inches. However, in alternateembodiments the transition between the grooving element 104 and the skid102 have any known, convenient and/or desired radius and/or can comprisea vertex.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8 , the skid can be tapered 806wherein the thickness of the skid proximal to the grooving element 104is greater that the thickness of the skid at the lateral distal sides ofthe skid 102 and in some embodiments such taper 806 can be on the sideof the skid 102 proximal to the grooving element 104, such that the side808 of the skid 102 proximal to the notch 106 does not taper or vary.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the skid 102 can comprise flanges 810at the lateral distal sides of skid that can form a longitudinal(relative to the skid 102) recess in the skid 102 parallel to the notch106 that can be adapted and configured to retain various items on theside 808 of the skid 102, such as an alignment apparatus 202 and/orweight 400 and/or any other know, convenient and/or desired apparatus orcomponent.

In some embodiments, the transition 812 between the skid's 102 surfaceadjacent to the grooving element 104 and the flange 810 can be radiused.In some embodiments the radius can be 0.125 inches. However, inalternate embodiments any known, convenient and/or desired radius can beemployed and/or the transition can be a vertex.

FIG. 9 depicts an elevation view of an embodiment of the apparatus 100.In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9 , one or both of the longitudinaldistal ends of the apparatus 100 can be angled away from the low pointof the grooving element 104. In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 canhave a series of angles that are comprised of vertices 902 908 andlinear components 904. Moreover, in some embodiments, the groovingelement 104 can have distal components 906 that are angled to facilitatepassage of the apparatus over uncured concrete and grooving of uncuredconcrete. In some embodiments the angle of the distal components can bebetween 10 degrees and 65 degrees relative to vertical. However, inalternate embodiments, the distal components 906 can have any known,convenient and/or desired geometric properties.

FIG. 10 depicts a partial underside view of the apparatus 100. In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 10 , the apparatus 100 can have a rounded1002 and partially turned-up distal end or ends. In some embodiments therounded distal end 1002 can be turned up via an angled bend 1004 in thedistal end of the skid 102 and in some embodiments the angled bend 1004can be abrupt and/or with a vertex. However, in alternate embodimentsthe angled bend 1004 can be a smooth and radiused transition.

FIGS. 11 a-11 b depict a hand-held embodiment of the apparatus 100. Inthe hand-held embodiment depicted in FIGS. 11 a-11 b , the apparatus 100can comprise one or more raised components 1102 located on the top sideof the skid 102 opposite the grooving element 104 and a handle 1104. Inuse, weight can be applied to the handle 1104 and/or the raisedcomponents 1102 to facilitate grooving of uncured concrete and therectilinear force can be applied to the handle 1104 to pass theapparatus 100 through the uncured concrete and create a groove.

FIGS. 12 a-12 b depict and upright embodiment of the apparatus. In theembodiment depicted in FIGS. 12 a-12 b , the apparatus can be similar tothe hand-held apparatus described in relation to FIGS. 11 a-11 b ,however, instead of a handle 1104, the apparatus 100 can comprise aextension element 1202 and, in some embodiments, a raised handle 1204 atthe distal end of the extension element 1202. In operation, a user canplace the grooving element 104 on the uncured concrete while hold thehandle 1204, then apply pressure to the raised components 1102 to drivethe grooving element 104 into the uncured concrete to create a groove inthe uncured concrete. The apparatus 100 can then be moved longitudinallyrelative to the grooving element 104 and/or the apparatus 100 can beraised and repositioned and vertically driven into the uncured concretein one or more additional locations.

Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described indetail and in language specific to structural features and/ormethodological acts above, it is to be understood that those skilled inthe art will readily appreciate that many additional modifications arepossible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing fromthe novel teachings and advantages of the invention. Moreover, it is tobe understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims isnot necessarily limited to the specific features or acts describedabove. Accordingly, these and all such modifications are intended to beincluded within the scope of this invention construed in breadth andscope in accordance with the appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A concrete grooving apparatus comprising: a skid; analignment apparatus coupled with a top surface of said skid; and agrooving element coupled with a bottom surface of said skid; whereinsaid alignment apparatus is adapted and configured to identify a desiredpath of said skid across an uncured concrete surface; and wherein saidgrooving element is adapted and configured to introduce a groove intosaid uncured concrete surface corresponding to said desired path.